What If You Were A Client at PRC?

By Paula J. Bachelder

As Sheila entered the Pregnancy Resource Center (PRC), she was overwhelmed and full of anxiety; she felt confused, numb, angry and scared. As she sat down and waited to be seen, she noticed the comfortable environment and it put her at ease, at least for a moment.

Seated across the room, Sheila noticed a young mother, obviously farther along than she, and her young daughter playing at her feet. She thought to herself that she would have a child about that age now, but two years ago she was simply not ready for motherhood, and her boyfriend threatened to leave her if she kept the baby. She could hardly believe she was facing this decision again.

When Shelia looked beside her, she saw informational material available for her to read. She picked up a magazine and started reading an article to take her mind off her situation. Before she could finish, a door opened and a lady said, “How may I help you?” Sheila gave her name and said she was there for a pregnancy test. She was then escorted to a counseling room by Beth, her Client Advocate (counselor), and as they were talking, Sheila began to feel a little of her anxiety subside.

Beth seemed kind and genuine and the room was comfortable and peaceful. Beth began by asking some basic questions, having Sheila sign some forms and then started asking about her situation. When Beth talked, she showed real compassion, concern, and empathy toward Sheila.

When they were finished talking, Sheila gave Beth a sample for the pregnancy test and while waiting for the test results watched a video. Among other things, the video showed how a baby grew in the womb. She was amazed by what she saw and wondered why she hadn’t been told some of the things the video had shown her when she had her abortion two years earlier.

As she waited, her anxiety began to build again. She was nervous and did not want to be pregnant. Her mind kept coming back to the same question; “What if I’m pregnant?”

A few minutes passed and Beth returned with the news that the test was positive. Sheila felt numb; she couldn’t believe it! During the next few moments, Beth spoke kindly and reassuringly as she addressed Sheila’s situation, evaluated her resources and gave her information about her options. She also talked to her about her health (physical, sexual and spiritual) and encouraged action on her part. With Sheila’s permission, Beth hugged her and prayed for her and the situation she was facing. Later, Shelia recalled in Beth’s prayer how children are a blessing from God...no matter the circumstance. Something about those words struck a cord in Sheila. She hadn’t thought of her situation in that light before.

Sheila left the PRC unsure what she would do, but she felt much less overwhelmed than she thought she would. Perhaps it was Beth’s kindness and comforting words, or maybe it was that she now knew she was carrying a baby...a baby who had a heartbeat and fingerprints.

Beth had given her some brochures to read and a Bible as well. She also talked to Shelia about abstinence and the dangers of STD’s. As Shelia listened, she wished that she had known the information Beth was telling her long before now, and asked herself why someone hadn’t told her the truth about STD’s. It was during that conversation that Shelia made the decision that going forward she was determined to remain abstinent until marriage. However, the current crisis weighed on her...“What about this child?” she thought. She surprised herself by admitting it was a child.

Shelia had promised Beth that she would return on Saturday for an ultrasound. She was anxious to find out exactly how far along she was, and there was a tiny part of her that felt excited, though she wouldn’t admit it. In the mean time, Shelia had a lot to think about.

That next Saturday while looking at the ultrasound Shelia exclaimed, “Is that my baby? Oh God, that’s my baby!” She couldn’t keep back the tears. Sheila had kept her promise, and now she was watching her baby on the ultrasound screen. “Twelve weeks four days,” said the sonographer. But Sheila wasn’t listening; her eyes were transfixed on the screen where her baby was kicking and squirming. “I hope it’s a girl,” she thought. “I want a girl.”

Beth knocked and entered the counseling room where she found Sheila looking at the pictures the sonographer had given her. “I fell in love with her the moment I saw her,” Sheila said. Beth knew there were still difficulties facing Sheila and so she reminded her that PRC was always there to help her. She encouraged Sheila to take part in the Resource Class. “It offers you parenting and life skills,” Beth told her. “And points, like money, to spend in the Resource Shop for baby items.”

Beth stayed in touch with Sheila and even gave her a special gift when her baby girl was born. Thanks to PRC, Sheila was able to make a healthy choice for her life and the life of her child.

Paula J. Bachelder is the Director of Church and Community Relations for the six Pregnancy Resource Centers of Greater St. Louis. For more information about the PRC or to find the Center nearest your area call (314) 783-3040.

Publisher’s Note…

Right after Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, Planned Parenthood’s solution to helping pregnant women affected by the devastation was to offer them ‘free abortions’! In other words, they offered to kill their children. How many women took them up on their offer is unknown.

By contrast, Pregnancy Resource Centers across the country helped by providing emergency counseling and donations of maternity clothing, baby formula and other infant related items.

Leading the way in assisting those affected by the hurricanes, the Church stepped up to the plate (and is still swinging away) by sending workers, food, building materials, funds and other types of assistance to the Gulf Coast. And, rightly so, as God has commanded us to help those in need as we also reach out with the Gospel of Christ. And, as a result, many victims of the Katrina disaster have come to Christ.

However, there has been an unfortunate downside to this situation within the Church. Financial contributions, which would have normally been ear-marked for support of local ministries and outreaches - including the Pregnancy Resource Centers - have been reduced because of the hurricane relief efforts. Many vital ministries within our own community are in desperate need of our financial assistance.

I urge everyone to re-examine their finances and really take some time in re-evaluating your financial priorities. Remember, all that we have has been given to us by God and He expects us to be a good steward and use it wisely for His purposes and His glory. Pray and ask the Lord for guidance. Ask the Spirit to show you which ministries right here in our area need your help and bless them with a sacrificial financial gift.